I myself have a great desire to watch over thy conduct,
and visit the subterranean palace, which no doubt contains whatever can
interest persons like us; there is nothing so pleasing as retiring to
caverns; my taste for dead bodies and everything like mummy is decided;
and I am confident thou wilt see the most exquisite of their kind. Forget
me not, then, but the moment thou art in possession of the talismans
which are to open to thee the mineral kingdoms and the centre of the
earth itself, fail not to despatch some trusty genius to take me and my
cabinet, for the oil of the serpents I have pinched to death will be a
pretty present to the Giaour, who cannot but be charmed with such
dainties."
Scarcely had Carathis ended this edifying discourse when the sun, setting
behind the mountain of the Four Fountains, gave place to the rising moon;
this planet, being that evening at full, appeared of unusual beauty and
magnitude in the eyes of the women, the eunuchs, and the pages, who were
all impatient to set forward. The city re-echoed with shouts of joy and
flourishing of trumpets; nothing was visible but plumes nodding on
pavilions, and aigrets shining in the mild lustre of the moon; the
spacious square resembled an immense parterre, variegated with the most
stately tulips of the East.
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